State Gov Could Permanently Reduce Speed Limit On M1

Review into effectiveness during Games

2 May 2018

Queensland's Transport and Main Roads department is reviewing how effective reduced speed limits were along the M1 during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and whether a permanent reduction could improve traffic flow and safety on the busy stretch.

For almost two months, speed zones between Brisbane and the Gold coast were reduced by 10km/h to accommodate a predicted influx of extra traffic, with more than six million extra trips expected up and down the highway during the games.

Surprisingly, the M1 looked more like a ghost town for the majority of the event, with games bosses accused of "scaring off" local motorists with warnings about how congested the highway would become.

A comprehensive review into M1 traffic management is expected to be completed by the end of May, with a decision on a permanent speed reduction expected not long after.